E7 Chord
How to play E 7th on guitar — bluesy and unresolved — it leans hard toward the chord a fourth above.
- Notes
- E – G♯ – B – D
- Frets (low → high)
- 0 2 0 1 0 0
- Difficulty
- Beginner
- Shape
- Open position
How to play E7, step by step
- 1Put your middle finger on the 2nd fret of the A string (5th).
- 2Put your index finger on the 1st fret of the G string (3rd).
- 3Let the low E, D, B and high E strings ring open.
- 4Strum slowly and check every string sounds cleanly; if one buzzes, press closer to the fret wire and arch your fingers so they clear the neighbouring strings.
What makes a dominant seventh chord
Bluesy and unresolved — it leans hard toward the chord a fourth above.
| Note | Interval | Semitones above E |
|---|---|---|
| E | root | 0 |
| G♯ | major 3rd | 4 |
| B | 5th | 7 |
| D | minor 7th | 10 |
Other E chords
Same root, different colour. Swapping one of these into a progression is the quickest way to change its mood without changing the key.
Every 7th chord
The same shape moved around the neck. If you can play E7 you are a fret-slide away from all of these.
Frequently asked questions
- What notes are in the E7 chord?
- E7 is made of E, G♯, B, D — the root, major 3rd, 5th, minor 7th of E.
- Is E7 hard to play?
- No — E7 sits at 0 2 0 1 0 0 and is rated beginner, so it is comfortable for most beginners.
Got a chart full of chords like E7?
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